Clinton Supports Embattled Barak

Embassy Move To Jerusalem Hinted

July 29, 2000|By John Kifner, New York Times News Service.

JERUSALEM — Acting to help shore up Prime Minister Ehud Barak's shaky political base, President Clinton went on Israeli television Friday night promising concrete rewards for peace, hinting that he was ready to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

That move would be a major triumph for Israel and Jews around the world who have long sought international recognition for Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state. The United States and most other nations have kept their embassies in Tel Aviv, on the argument that the status of the Holy City remains unresolved.

The newspaper Ha'aretz reported that Barak, who lost his majority in parliament when three parties bolted his coalition to protest the talks and who faces no-confidence votes Monday, had telephoned the White House and asked the president's help with his political problems.

Interviewed on Israeli television, Clinton himself introduced the issue of moving the embassy while answering a question about the relationship between United States and Israel, calling it "very strong."

After talking about a long-term commitment to help modernize the Israeli army and provide more security assistance now that Israeli troops have been withdrawn from Lebanon, the president said:

"You know, I have always wanted to move our embassy to West Jerusalem. We have a designated site there. I have not done so because I didn't want to do anything to undermine our ability to help broker a secure and fair and lasting peace for Israelis and for Palestinians.

"But in light of what has happened, I've taken that decision under review and I'll make a decision sometime between now and the end of the year on that."

After Clinton had broached the subject, the Israeli interviewer asked: "You mentioned the relocation of the Israeli--of the American Embassy and put it in Jerusalem. Would you consider it in any circumstances, even if there is no agreement?"

The president replied, "Well, I think I should stand on the words I said.

"I have always wanted to do it," he continued. "I've always thought it was the right thing to do. But I didn't want to do anything to undermine the peace process, our ability to be an honest broker, which requires that we be accepted by both sides.

"But it's something I've taken under review now because of the recent events," he said. "And I think that's all I should say about it now."

There was no immediate official reaction here because the interview was broadcast on the 8 p.m. news, after sirens had sounded the start of the Jewish Sabbath, during which the country largely shuts down.

In the interview, Clinton also warned the Palestinians that declaring a Palestinian state Sept. 13 and abandoning the peace talks would be a "big mistake" with consequences, including a review of the entire U.S.-Palestinian relationship.

Asked what Israel could expect to get if it signed a peace agreement, Clinton replied: "I will do my best to get the maximum amount of support. One of the reasons that I wanted very much to get the agreement this time is that it would give us more time to pass an aid package through Congress."

He went on to mention an issue often raised by Israelis whenever the question of compensating Palestinian refugees arises--that of also paying compensation to Jews who fled or were evicted from Arab lands since the creation of Israel.

"There is some interest, interestingly enough on both sides, in also having a fund which compensates the Israelis who were made refugees by the war which occurred after the birth of Israel," he said. "Israel is full of people, Jewish people, who lived in predominantly Arab countries who came to Israel because they were made refugees in their own land.

"That's another piece of the good news that I think I can reveal that came out of the summit," he said. "The Palestinians thought those people should be eligible for compensation as well."

Clinton said there would have to be an "international fund" for the refugees, but he did not indicate who would be expected to contribute.

Clinton spoke highly of Barak, saying he "in no way ever compromised the vital interests of the state of Israel" at Camp David.